A system of alias assignment for unidentified patients requiring emergency hospital admission

Abstract

Many patients are admitted to emergency facilities without positive identification. In the past, these patients were usually assigned a temporary alias name (i.e., John Doe, Jane Doe) which was then changed after positive identification. We have discerned several problems with this procedure and have subsequently developed a coordinated system of alias identification in our hospital. This system allows for: a large pool of distinct alias identities, pre-assignment of hospital numbers to unidentified patients before arrival, and a smooth administrative transition as records are changed from the alias to the true identity.